| In Indianapolis, Indiana, teen drivers were seen | | | | Another method of helping teens that should also |
| skidding around a local high school parking lot. | | | | be implemented by families is to place a GPS |
| Were they joyriding? Not this time. These teens | | | | Tracking device in the cars that they drive. Why? |
| were taking part in a safe driving program called | | | | Increased Safety Awareness |
| Tire Rack Street Survival which was being hosted | | | | When drivers know that they are being |
| by the Hoosier Chapter of the BMW Club of | | | | monitored, it changes their behavior. This is true |
| America. | | | | not just for teen drivers, but all those who get |
| Sixty teens were put through a battery of tests | | | | behind the wheel of a car. There is less chance of |
| that included acceleration, turning and braking that | | | | a lack of judgment which can help prevent |
| were designed to give them experience and | | | | accidents. |
| increase their level of response to the demands | | | | Increased Driver Accountability |
| of driving that they might encounter in their own | | | | Accountability is a character quality that young |
| cars. | | | | drivers need to learn. They are responsible for |
| Because motor vehicle crashes are the leading | | | | their actions which can have deadly consequences |
| cause of death for teens in the United States | | | | when they are driving. |
| according to the National Highway Traffic Safety | | | | Instead of ignoring teen driver issues, a proactive |
| Administration, these activities are valuable. In | | | | approach like this one along with closer monitoring |
| addition to this the single-vehicle at-fault accident | | | | will help bring the incident of teen vehicle accidents |
| rate plunges by a whopping 90 percent after | | | | to a very low rate. And isn't that worth the |
| taking this course. | | | | effort? Think about that the next time you hear |
| After the program, the teens who took part in | | | | about another teen killed in an automobile accident. |
| the one-day event found that the experience | | | | You can visit streetsurvival.org or call |
| helped them to realize the power that they have | | | | 502-649-4871 to sign up for one of these |
| in their hands when they drive and the situations | | | | programs near you. Any licensed driver between |
| that can arise unexpectedly and how to deal with | | | | 16 and 21 years of age can take part. The cost is |
| them. | | | | $60. The lasting effect is priceless. |